This week I'll be using the Fairytale Tarot, a deck and book set published by Magic Realist Press and created by Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov. The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Tree Affirmation Cards created and self-published by Victoria Sofia Lewis. Today's draws are the Ten of Swords and Lilac:
The tale of "The Constant Tin Soldier" is about a toy soldier who starts off his life in bad straits (having one leg), then gets tossed outside (experiencing harrowing adventures), only to make it back home in time to be thrown in the stove fire (where he burns with his love, the paper ballerina). Throughout all his ordeals he keeps a stiff upper lip, remaining at attention and showing no emotion. Sure it may sound romantic and courageous, but that's the icing that hides the delusion and ignorance. Ideals and philosophies are great, until they turn you into a blockhead that common sense can't penetrate. Then you end up as someone who no longer knows how to have a discussion, because you are convinced you already have the truth. Lilac's keyword is 'faith' (you can smell it without seeing it). I've walked away from my childhood faith and found Buddhism, which doesn't ask that you believe something without testing it for yourself. The other day, watching the chaos in Charlottesville, VA, I lost my faith in America. However, seeing the counter-protesters come out in such great numbers in Boston, I feel like our country has a chance to survive Trump's rhetoric and presidency. In the meantime, I refuse to stand by with my mouth shut and be a tin patriot.
Patriotism is proud of a country’s virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country’s virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, “the greatest,” but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is.
~ Sydney J. Harris
I love your interpretation of the Tin soldier and the paper ballerina Bev.
ReplyDeleteI can't put my faith in a country or people more concerned with greed and exploitation, power and control instead of one that chooses love over hate. I think Patriotism and Nationalism is a lie promoted by those who feel their position of power and control are threatened, or want to ensure their position of "superiority."
I heard a fellow this morning, activist, Leonard Zeskind on CBC talking about this here's the link. http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/sunday-edition/segment/13739159
Here's another quote by Sydney Harris which shows the difference between authentic patriotism and nationalism:
Delete"The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does; the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility, but the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to war."
I love Canada, but I'm not so proud of it's history, which is a dark legacy. Unfortunately the average person is not privy to what happens behind the closed doors of those who are in positions of political power and control where there is no transparency. It's a very fine line between the two definitions if in fact there is one. Our so called patriotism has been embodied enmeshed in the monarchy and colonialism.
DeleteI guess it's a bit like having compassion for someone while not approving or enabling their behavior. I love this land even though I think the White House has gone off the rails.
DeleteI suppose stiff upper lip is another word for coping. But to me it also means closing off from action and resolution.
ReplyDeleteFairy tales are some of the scariest scenarios going.
I got absolutely nothing from that deck and book :)
I think it is a way of shutting down too. I have a love/hate relationship with this deck!
DeleteWhat is the tale of the Buddha taking a walk-about. Someone comes up and wants to shout and rage, and the Buddha refuses his rage and explains to the pedestrian that his rage is like a gift, if not accepted then it belongs to the bearer.
ReplyDeleteThat is it - you don't have to accept the anger someone else tries to dump on you. :)
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